On the eve of the Republican party’s annual glad-handing post-election social, The Advance, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling told a reporter that “There aren’t enough Republicans in Virginia to elect anybody to anything,” while explaining his decision to withdraw from the GOP race. And, as a second thought he suggested that there aren’t enough Democrats to have their way in the commonwealth, either.
Both of the candidates, (Cuccinelli and McAuliff) I think, are going to have challenges convincing the people of Virginia that they’re capable of providing that kind of effective, responsible, thoughtful, mainstream leadership,” he said. He also called Cuccinelli an ideologue whose base of support emanates from the GOP’s tea party-infused grass roots.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling who suspended — but did not end — his campaign for the Republican nomination after last month’s presidential election, told the John Fredericks Show on Friday (Dec. 8) that he is open to running a third-party bid for governor if “I thought I had a realistic chance of winning the governorship.
“I have not ruled that out, and I’m not prepared to rule that out,” Bolling said. “I know how tough independent campaigns can be. I certainly would not want to get involved in an independent campaign simply to be a spoiler of some sort. That’s not my style.”
Bolling has steadfastly opposed Cuccinelli, who he refers to as the “Tea Party darling” for outmaneuvering him and the Republican establishment. Bolling also blames Cuccinelli for backing a “party coup” that switched the Republican nominating process from a primary to a convention, calling the move a take over by “a confederation of supporters of Attorney General Cuccinelli and various Tea Party groups and Ron Paul groups.” That early June poll among Virginia’s registered voters that showed Cuccinelli leading Bolling 51% to 15% may also factored into Bollings decision to “suspend” his campaign.
Bolling made a deal to stepped aside in the 2009 governor’s race for then Lt. Governor Bob McDonnell on a promise of support for the 2013 campaign. McDonnell and the Republican establishment kept their word. Even Rep. Eric Cantor jumped on board. But Cuccinelli’s decision to run put a cramp in the good ole boy establishment that runs Virginia’s Republican party.
He has also rebuffed fellow Republicans who said he should support Cuccinelli for the good of the party. “I wasn’t just saying those things. I meant those things,” Bolling said. “So for me to turn around and say, ‘Well, woops, I didn’t mean any of that’ … I think it would have just been a terribly hypocritical thing to do.”
Bolling’s refusal to endorse Cuccinelli has already put him at odds with the conservatives in his party and risks alienating the moderates who are more inclined to back him. If Bolling runs as an independent or indicates support for any possible Republican candidate, state party bylaws allow for him to be stripped of his stature within the party.
“If that’s a decision they want to make, that’s a decision they can make,” Bolling said. “It doesn’t bother me either way. I do consider myself a bit removed from the partisan political process.” That sounds like a challenge to me – looks like Bolling definitely has his panties in a wad!
Now we just have to wait and see if Governor Bob McDonnell will endorse Cuccinelli. McDonnell, who has shown some ambition for higher office, may distance himself from the extremes of the party as Republicans attempt to garner votes from moderates and minorities.
I must say I am very disappointed in Bolling. Regardless of what he says, it sounds like sour grapes is his only reason to mount an independent run against Cuccinelli which could well destroy any future he might have in Virginia politics.
